Article
Ecology
Christoph Thies, Richard A. Watson
Summary: Multilevel selection theory proposes that selection can occur on multiple levels of organization, however, the methods used to determine group selection may disagree on its presence. Experimental intervention is necessary to determine the correct approach.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jeff Smith, R. Fredrik Inglis
Summary: Kin selection and multilevel selection theory are often used to interpret experiments about the evolution of cooperation and social behavior among microbes, but they are mostly used as conceptual heuristics. This study evaluates how these theories perform as quantitative analysis tools, finding that the classical fitness models of both theories are often unsuitable for microbial systems due to strong selection and non-additive effects. Analyzing both individual and group fitness outcomes can help clarify the biology of selection and reveal untapped potential for understanding social evolution in all branches of life.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erik Borchert, Katrin Hammerschmidt, Ute Hentschel, Peter Deines
Summary: Significant progress in the biodegradation of anthropogenic pollutants can be achieved by harnessing artificial community selection based on eco-evolutionary principles. These selected communities can be used directly in bioremediation applications or further analyzed and modified through systems biology, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering, leading to the discovery of novel biodegradation pathways.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Iuval Clejan, Christopher D. Congleton, Brian A. Lerch
Summary: This study uses evolutionary game theory to demonstrate the emergence of group fitness through two constraints, providing a model for evolutionary transitions in individuality within the framework of multilevel selection.
Article
Biology
Sylvain Charlat, Andre Ariew, Pierrick Bourrat, Maria Ferreira Ruiz, Thomas Heams, Philippe Huneman, Sandeep Krishna, Michael Lachmann, Nicolas Lartillot, Louis Le Sergeant d'Hendecourt, Christophe Malaterre, Philippe Nghe, Etienne Rajon, Olivier Rivoire, Matteo Smerlak, Zorana Zeravcic
Summary: The article discusses the possibility of natural selection occurring not only in biological life, but also in other physical systems. It highlights the challenges of natural selection in non-living systems, both conceptually and technically. The study emphasizes the crucial role of the concept of individuality and understanding how it emerges and can be recognized in physico-chemical terms.
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Christopher ChoGlueck, Elisabeth A. Lloyd
Summary: Feminist philosophers discuss assessing values empirically given the influence of sexism and other oppressive values on science and society. Critics argue that Helen Longino's contextual empiricism does not subject values to the same empirical scrutiny as other claims. However, this paper defends contextual empiricism by clarifying Longino's position, emphasizing the role of the community in assessing values, and providing a case study that demonstrates the disconfirmation of androcentric values in evolutionary science.
Article
Biology
A. V. Melkikh
Summary: This study analyzes the theories and mechanisms of aging under various environmental conditions. The findings suggest that aging is a controlled process and one of the mechanisms of directed evolution.
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Harriet Fagerberg
Summary: This paper critiques Justin Garson's Generalised Selected Effects Theory and argues for its rejection. The author contends that Garson's theory fails to demonstrate that neurally selected disorders are not dysfunctional, but rather implies that they have both functional and dysfunctional aspects. Based on this analysis, the paper concludes that the Generalised Theory presents conflicting functional norms and should be rejected outright.
BIOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Social
Maya Louise Bose, Aurelio Jose Figueredo
Summary: This study explored the relationship between different forms of faith and bias against women and Arab immigrants. Findings suggest that mysticism and religiosity can contribute to antagonistic attitudes towards both groups, while spirituality may inhibit bias against women but facilitate bias against Arab immigrants. Through structural pathway analysis, the study also sheds light on how variations in belief systems affect group behavior and prejudiced attitudes.
PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Whitney Fleming, Tyler Hallman, Jamon Van Den Hoek, Steven Mana'oakamai Johnson, Kelly Biedenweg
Summary: Research has revealed a growing trend in integrating social and ecological data to enhance quality of life, particularly in understanding people's beliefs about environmental governance. This study investigates the relationship between spatial patterns of beliefs about environmental governance and environmental health using both public health and ecological perspectives. Results show variations at local scales within the Puget Sound region. Factors such as canopy cover, environmental effects and exposures, years of residency, race, and sex were found to significantly influence beliefs about environmental governance. However, there was little support for the effects of political ideology, income, age, education, or bird diversity. Overall, this research highlights the importance of considering both environmental health and beliefs about governance in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of drivers of successful environmental governance and public support.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lee R. DeHaan, James A. Anderson, Prabin Bajgain, Andrea Basche, Douglas J. Cattani, Jared Crain, Timothy E. Crews, Christophe David, Olivier Duchene, Jessica Gutknecht, Richard C. Hayes, Fengyi Hu, Jacob M. Jungers, Soren Knudsen, Wenqian Kong, Steve Larson, Per-Olof Lundquist, Guangbin Luo, Allison J. Miller, Pheonah Nabukalu, Matthew T. Newell, Lennart Olsson, Michael Palmgren, Andrew H. Paterson, Valentin D. Picasso, Jesse A. Poland, Erik J. Sacks, Shuwen Wang, Anna Westerbergh
Summary: Perennial grains have the potential to contribute to ecological intensification of food production by direct harvesting of human-edible crops, and studies show their ability to protect water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, build soil quality, and sequester soil carbon. However, limited investment in genetic improvement of perennial grain candidates has hindered their development. Recent advancements in crop breeding and genetics, such as low-cost genotyping and genome editing, can address these concerns and allow for the development of new perennial grain crops with atmospheric greenhouse gas reductions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Qiang Yu, Fujin Deng, Chengkai Liu, Jifeng Zhao, Frede Blaabjerg, Sayed Abulanwar
Summary: This article proposes a phase-shifted double-group multicarrier-based PWM strategy to eliminate the high-frequency current ripple in the dc-link of MMCs, which extends the power region of MMCs effectively. Simulation and experimental studies validate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jeffrey L. Neyhart, Kevin A. T. Silverstein, Kevin P. Smith
Summary: Extending the genomewide prediction framework to include environmental covariates can improve the accuracy of predicting the performance of new plant genotypes under new environmental conditions. However, the similarity between training and target environments is a limiting factor for accurate predictions.
Article
Biology
Daniel B. Cooney, Yoichiro Mori
Summary: This study investigates the effects of competition between individuals and between groups on the evolution in a group-structured population. The researchers find that cooperation can persist in the population when the between-group competition strength exceeds a threshold level, but the incentives for individual defection still have long-term effects on the dynamics of multilevel selection.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shilpi Misra, Eddie A. M. Bokkers, John Upton, Amy J. Quinn, Keelin O'Driscoll
Summary: In grower-finisher pigs, a high level of enrichment can reduce water usage and wastage, decrease aggressive behavior, and benefit animal welfare and the environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)